AUTHOR=Shahidullah A. K. M. , Islam Anisul , Rahman Mokhlesur 

TITLE=Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pesticide use by vegetable growers in Bangladesh: a health literacy perspective in relation to non-communicable diseases

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

VOLUME=Volume 7 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1199871

DOI=10.3389/fsufs.2023.1199871

ISSN=2571-581X

ABSTRACT=Pesticides are widely used by the vegetables growers in Bangladesh whereas their understanding on health consequences of these chemicals in relation to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is largely unknown. NCDs have emerged as a major health concern in recent decades as they are causing most deaths, chronic illnesses, and psychosomatic suffering to people worldwide. In Bangladesh, among other reasons, lack of health literacy contributes to the occurrence and prevalence of NCDs. This research attempted to interpret and evaluate the status of key health literacy forming components, such as, knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the vegetable growers with respect to use of pesticides. The study was carried out in six districts of Bangladesh. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to obtain a survey sample of 334 farmers who grow vegetables and use pesticides. The results revealed that the level of knowledge of the farmers is poor. They are also not much aware of the relationship between pesticide use and the potential vulnerability to NCDs. Such knowledge, attitude, and practice developed through long-held beliefs and perceptions are not helpful towards safe and appropriate regarding use and application of pesticides. To redress such KAP situations among the vegetable growers, we posit that the policy actors and stakeholders across public health and agricultural sectors, and developmental agencies must strive to improve their health literacy in terms of KAP. Large scale programmatic interventions on knowledge, attitude, and practice of the vegetable growers through training, education, or mass promotion can enhance their literacy and diminish the unabated use of pesticides.